Safety container



www H W56 Filed June 20, 1952 C. LISCIANH .SAFETY CONTAINER 2 Sheets-Sheet l @fem/ZbW Mmm 113 W5@ Filed June 20, 1952 C3. LHSGIAN SAFETY CONTAINER 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 l Ag@ United States Patent O SAFETY CONTAINER Constantine Lisciani, Chicago, lli., assigner to The Protectoseal Company, Chicago, Ill., a corporation of Illinois Application June 20, 1952, Serial No. 294,754

Claims. (Cl. ZZO-SS) This invention relates to closure means for containers or receptacles for inflammable liquids, and in particular to a fusible closure means for a bench can, and the like, when used for volatile or highly inflammable liquids in which articles may be dipped or submerged, and thereby subjected to the cleansing properties of the fluid.

The principal object of the invention is to provide a bench can or container for volatile or inflammable fluids and solvents with an improved novel and efficient means which is automatically operable to quickly close the can, and to prevent combustion in the event of inadverent ignition of the contents of the bench can.

Another object of the invention is to provide simple, improved means for releasably retaining the cover or closure of the can where the can is usually kept open by a simple means and automatic closure is provided in the event of fire.

Another object of the invention is to provide a closure or cover which may be manually closed or opened Without disturbing in any way the thermal responsive means which comprises a fusible link arrangement for returning the opened cover to its closed position in the event of re.

Another object of the invention is to provide a simple arrangement embodying a thermal responsive means comprising a fusible link means operatively related to a spring-biased pusher member to close the cover and, in the event of a fire, as a feature of the invention, the fusible link means is positioned within the container to bring the fusible element as close as possible to the fire with the least possible heat loss.

Another object of the invention is to provide springbiased push rod means operatively related with respect to the lid so that the lid will not remain open unless a fusible link is in place at all times, eliminating any possibility of using a bench can or container without suitable protective means.

A further object of the invention is to provide a conventional or standard fusible link connection between the cover and the thermal means for closing the cover which, when melting at a predetermined temperature, will permit the cover to close the bench can.

Another object of the invention is to provide a detachable and replaceable fusible link means.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a bench can construction which is economical to manufacture, utilizing conventionally formed rods, conventional springs, such as ilat leaf or compression springs, and simple stamped or pressed sheet metal parts.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a simple pivot arm construction or movable pivot arm construction which is actuated by the thermal means for biasing the cover from its open position, whereupon the cover will close under the action of gravity.

Another object of the invention is to provide a simple base for supporting the bench can to prevent it from being accidentally tipped over and which serves as a stop for the closure in its open position, and as protection in ice the event of an accident to the movable mechanism of the thermal responsive closure mechanism.

In order to accomplish the various objects of my invention, a simple bench can and support has been provided permitting the closure to be manually opened and closed, and while in the opened position, the closure is adapted to be spring-biased to a closed position upon the melting of a fusible link mounted within the bench can.

In one embodiment, a simple one-pivot arm construction is provided to be actuated upon the melting of the fusible link means by a flat leaf spring-biasing the pivot arm to close the lid of the bench can.

In another embodiment, the lid for the bench can or container is actuated by the combined action of more than one pivoted arm to actuate the lid so that it automatically closes the bench can. In each of the embodiments, a simple support bracket has been provided for limiting the open position of the closure for the container, and which also serves to provide protection against damage of the movable mechanism of the thermal responsive closure mechanism.

In one embodiment of the invention, the stop serves as a support for a pivoted arm of the closure member. In each embodiment, the spring means for biasing the closure mechanism is mounted eXteriorly of the container, and the fusible link means is mounted. within the container.

Many other objects and advantages of the construction herein shown and described will be obvious to those skilled in the art from the disclosure herein given.

To this end, my invention consists in the novel construction, arrangement, and combination of parts herein shown and described, and more particularly pointed out in the claims.

In the drawings, wherein like reference characters indicate like or corresponding parts:

Fig. 1 is a plan view, partly in section, illustrating one embodiment of a bench can incorporating the features of the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a side view of the embodiment of Fig. 1 showing the lid in its closed position;

Fig. 3 is a plan view of another embodiment of the invention wherein more than one pivot arm is used for moving the lid to its closing position; and

Fig. 4 is a view in side elevation of the embodiment of Fig. 3, illustrating the mechanism in the closed position of the lid.

As illustrated in the accompanying drawings, the invention is shown in its relation to a bench can 10 of a convenient size adapted to contain highly volatile and inammable liquids, such as gasoline, solvents, and the like, intended for washing and cleansing purposes, and the bench can is normally used on benches of the operators for cleaning connections to be soldered, such as in radio, and other electronic devices. During the day, as the soldering operations are carried on, the closure or lid 11 may be normally raised to its open position, as shown in the dotted position 11 of Fig. 2. After the dayfs work is over, or when the bench can is not in use, the closure 11 is normally biased to its closed position, as shown in the solid lines 11', Figs. 1 and 2, which reduces the fire hazard from having highly inflammable liquids, or the like, in open containers. The bench can 10 is preferably a small container adapted to hold a minimum of liquid needed for the cleaning operation to reduce the re hazard.

The closure 11 is adapted to be hinged on the container with a conventional hinge construction 12 comprising a bracket 13 affixed to the can by welding, or other suitable means, for mounting the remainder of the hinge bracket 14, which is affixed to the closure 1l.

A supporting base 15, shaped as illustrated in Fig. 1, and to which the container is suitably afhxed, provides a stable support for the bench can to prevent the bench can from being accidentally tipped' over, spilling the inflammable content of lthe container. vIntegraily formed with the ysupport base is an inverted L-shaped, vertical bracket 16 formed with a horizontal portion 16' extending transverse to the base, and also parallel to and above the hinge 12 of the container to provide a stop for the closure in the raised portion shown in Fig. 2. The closure 11is so constructed that it may be manually raised and lowered by the operator, but if the closure should be left open, a simple, thermally responsive release means 17 has been provided for biasing the closure or lid to an unstable position, whereupon gravity actuation of the lid will close the container.

The thermal responsive ,release means 17 of the embodiment of Fig. 1 preferably comprises a fusible link means 13 which maybe of standard design and readily replaceable as it is adapted to be detachably connected to a hook 19 detachably mounted in a hole 20 provided in the side wall of the container and, at the opposite end,

the link is detachably connected to an elongated hook 21 which extends through a hole 22. The hook 21 is detachably mounted through a hole provided in the free end of a fiat leaf spring 23, riveted as illustrated, substantially tangentially to the upper edge of the container shown in Figs. l land 2. After the insertion of the hook 21 through the opening 22, `it is detachably connected to the fusible link, and a head 24 is provided on the end of the hook 21 to limit the lateral movement of the leaf spring 23 when the fusible links and hooks 19 and 21 are assembled to the leaf spring. It is preferrred to assemble the hook 21 to the leaf `spring with the head Z4- formed on the hook. It is also within the scope of the invention to insert the free end of the hook 21 through the opening in the leaf spring, after which the head may be upset on the end of the hook. Other means of attaching the hook to the lleaf spring will lsuggest itself to one skilled in the art. The fusible link .means 18 may be assembled at any time before the bench can is packaged, and in the event of the fuse link becoming destroyed in the event of fire, another fuse link is simply replaced by biasing the spring 23 towards the can, hooking the fuse link in place on the end of the hook 21, after which the opposite end of the fuse link is connected to the hook 19.

Referring to Figs. 1 and '2, linkage means 25 is pivotally mounted upon a bracket 26 affixed to the supporting member 15. The linkage means at one end is provided with an upturned end 27 which operatively engages the fiat leaf spring 23 in the normal position of the thermal responsive means 17. The linkage means is preferably angularly formed, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, and has another upstanding portion 28 at the opposite end having a free end 29 adapted to extend under the stop 16'. With the thermal responsive means 17 operatively positioned as illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2, the end 29 of the linkage means does not engage the cover 11 in its dotted open position, as shown in Fig. 2. The linkage means is pivotally mounted by a flattened portion 30 pivotally afiixed to the inwardly extending portion of the bracket 26 by suitable securing means, such as a rivet 31.

In use, the bench can, when filled with suitable solvent, normally is positioned with the cover in the dotted raised position shown in Fig. 2. In Vthe soldering operation, the ends to be soldered are dipped within the container for cleaning, and after use, the cover 11 is closed to the solid line position. However, because of he volatility of the fluid, and in the event sparks should be generated or re occur in the vicinity, if the container is left in its open position, upon the fluid within the bench can becoming ignited, the fuse link will melt and, upon melting, the spring 23 will move to the dotted position 23' biasing the linkage means 25 to its dotted position 25. As the member 25 moves to the dotted' position under the action of the spring 23, it abuts the cover in the raised position, causing it to be 'moved to an unstable position so that any further movement of the member 25 causes the cover to close under the actuation of gravity. After the closure has been closed in this manner because of fire within the container, the linkage means 25 would extend over the cover, preventing the cover lbeing raised to its open position. The cover may only be fully raised to its open position upon a new fuse link 18 being replaced between the hooks 21 and 19, as illustrated in Fig. l. When reassembled in this manner, the bench can is adapted for further use, and the cover 11 may be manually opened and closed at wall.

It is preferred that the fusible link means 1S be cast or formed from low-melting point solder, or other material, adapted to melt preferably within a range of from to 169 F. 1t is to be understood that any other range of low-melting point fuse link may be used to operate within the range desired for the ignition point of the particular liquid used in the-container.

Referring to Figs. 3 and 4, there is illustrated another embodiment of thebench can and support therefor, which is similar to that of `the vembodiment of Figs. 1 and 2, but in which the thermal responsive means 17 and the linkage means 35 have been modified so that multiple linkage members 36 and 37 are actuated `by the thermal responsive means 17 for pivotal movement in a vertical plane as compared with the horizontal movement of the linkage means V25 of the embodiment of Figs. 1 and-2.

In the embodiment of Figs. 3 and 4, as the Vbench can and support, and certain members are similar, 'like reference characters will indicate the same or similar parts, and need not be additionally described. The thermal responsive means 17 is formed by the fusible link means 18 aixed at one end to the hook 19 extending through the hole 2t), and at the other end is affixed to the elongated hook 21 which serves to form the spring bias pusher means for actuation of the linkage mechanism 35. The bench can 10 is deformed at '3S and provided with a hole 39 for the insertion of the hook 21 after a suitable washer 40 and compression spring 41 has been applied. The head 24 retains the washer and spring lbetween the deformed portion 38 of the bench can. The link member 36 is substantially V-shaped and formed at its apex with a loop 36 for pivotally mounting the link member upon the bracket 26a by a rivet 42 extending through the bracket and eye 36. One end of the V-shaped member 36 is adapted to abut the rivet head 24 of the pusher means 21, while the opposite portion of the link member 36 is adapted to engage a 4horizontally extending portion 43 of the link member 37. The link member 37 is formed with an eye 44 pivotally afiixed to a depending lug 45 formed from the stop 16', as shown in Figs. '3 and 4. The upper free end of the link member 37 is formed at 46 to extend toward the raised lcover 11, as shown in Fig. 4. As in the previous embodiment, the cover 11 may be manually opened and closed without disturbing the thermal responsive means for automatically closing the cover.

In .the operation of this embodiment upon the melting of the fuse link 18, the pusher means 21 biases the link means 36 counterclockwise, which, in turn, actuates the link means 37 in a clockwise manner to move the cover from the dotted position 1'1 to an unstable position so that the action of gravity closes the cover. With the thermal responsive means inoperative because of the melting of the fuse link 18, the cover 11 cannot be raised into its upper position until the fuse link has been replaced. It is thus obvious from the above description that a simple form of detachable and replaceable fuse link has been provided, and the fusible link has been so arranged and constructed that the link may be readily replaceable between the hook to which it is atiixed at one end, and to the movable pusher means 'for actuating the linkage means at the opposite end. The fusible metal forming the link is adapted to fuse and melt upon the ignition of the volatile and inflammable uid within the container.

It is also evident that there has been provided a simple fusible link construction, and mounting therefor, within a closure or bench can in cooperation with means for biasing the closure to an unstable position to close by the action of gravity, but which is retained in an inoperative position permitting the manual opening and closing of the cover of the container.

lt is also obvious that there has been provided a similar arrangement so that, upon the fusing or melting of the fusible link means 18, the linkage means is spring-biased to move the closure from its open position to its normal closed position, thereby excluding oxygen from the container, and snuing out any flame due to the combustion of the fluid contents thereof.

It is also evident that, in order to place the bench can in condition for future use upon the melting of the fusible link means, it is only necessary to replace the melting fusible link by a new link in any of the embodiments disclosed. Also, as the resilient means `for biasing the pusher member 21 becomes inoperative, the springs 23 and 41 may be readily replaced, as well as any of the other parts forming the linkage members of the linkage means 2S and 35 of each embodiment.

lt will be observed from the foregoing description that the present invention provides a novel construction and arrangement whereby the cover of the bench tank or container embodying the invention may, under normal conditions, be retracted in either its opened or closed position, and wherein simple and novel means have been provided for automatically closing the cover in the event of ignition of the fluid or liquid contents of the tank.

Furthermore, the present invention provides a simple and quick-acting fusible link connection between the cover for the container and the resilient retaining means which, when broken, will permit the cover to close either under the action of gravity or the combined action of gravity and the spring-biased closure.

It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the precise construction and arrangement shown and described, as the same may be variously modified without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. In a device of the class described, and in combination, a bench can, a closure for the can hingedly con-- nected thereto by a hinged connection, a support base comprising a plate-like member underlying the bench can for supporting the bench can, said support base including stop means comprising an integral overlying portion extending substantially parallel to the axis of the hinged closure and spaced from the bench can and for supporting the closure in its opened position, a bracket member mounted on the support base laterally of the bench can, a thermally responsive release means comprising a fusible link operatively affixed within the container, hook means operatively affixed to and within the bench can, a second hook means oppositely positioned with respect to the first-mentioned hook means and operatively extending through the peripheral wall of the bench can, said fusible link complementally formed to and detachably connected at one end to the first-mentioned hook means and at the opposite end to the secondmentioned hook means, spring-biased pusher means including the second hook means and operatively mounted with respect to the bench can, the bracket member and the closure, said spring-biased pusher means operatively connected to the second-mentioned hook means, and said spring-biased pusher means adapted upon the melting of the fusible link to bias the closure to move the closure to its closed position from its open position abutting the!` stop means.

2. In a device of the class described, and in combination, a bench can, a closure for the can hingedly connected thereto by a hinged connection, a support base comprising a plate-like member underlying the bench can for supporting the bench can, said support base including stop means comprising an integral overlying portion extending substantially parallel to the axis of the hinged closure and spaced from the bench can and for supporting the closure in its opened position, a bracket member mounted on the support base laterally of the bench can, a thermally responsive release means com prising a fusible link operatively affixed within the container, a hook detachably axed to the peripheral wall of the bench can and operatively mounted within the bench can, an elongated hook oppositely positioned with respect to the first-mentioned hook and operatively extending through the peripheral wall of the bench can, said fusible link complementally formed to and detachably connected at one end to the first-mentioned hook and at the opposite end to the elongated hook, pusher means including spring means operatively connected to the elongated hook and a pusher member operatively mounted with respect to the bench can, the bracket member and the closure, said pusher means operatively connected t0 the elongated hook, said spring means: operatively engaging the outer free end of the elongated hook and operatively mounted with respect to the outer periphery of the bench can contiguous to the elongated hook for biasing the pusher member, and said spring means of the pusher means adapted upon the melting of the fusible link to bias the closure to move the closure to its closed position from its open position abutting the stop means.

3. In a device of the class described, and in combination, a bench can, a closure for the can hingedly connected thereto by a hinged connection, a support base comprising a plate-like member underlying the bench can for supporting the bench can, said support base including stop means comprising an integral overlying port-ion providing an inverted L-shaped stop means substantially parallel to the axis of the hinged closure and spaced from the bench can and for supporting the closure in its opened position, a bracket member mounted on the support base laterally of the bench can, linkage means pivotally mounted on the bracket member and adapted for operatively engaging the closure in its opened position abutting the L-shaped stop means, said linkage means shielded by the support member and the L-shaped stop means, thermally responsive release means comprising a fusible link operatively affixed within the container, hook means operatively affixed to and within the bench can, a second hook means oppositely positioned with respect to the tirst-mentioned hook means and operatively extending through the peripheral wall of the bench can, said fusible link complementally formed to and detachably connected at one end to the rst-mentioned hook means and at the opposite end to the second-mentioned hook means, said linkage means including spring-biased pusher means operatively connected to the second-mentioned hook means, and said spring-biased pusher means adapted upon the melting of the fusible link to bias the closure to move the closure to its closed position from its open position abutting the inverted L-shaped stop means.

4. In a device of the class described as set forth in claim 3, said linkage means pivotally mounted on the bracket member for horizontal movement with respect to the plate-like member underlying the bench can, the pivotal axis of the linkage means being perpendicular to the axis of the hinged closure, said spring-biased pusher means including an elongated flat leaf spring, said flat leaf spring at one end operatively aflixed to the outer periphery of the bench can and at the other end operatively engaging the aforesaid second hook means, said linkage means including an upturned end operatively mounted between the pivotal axis of the linkage means and the end of the flat leaf spring operatively connected to the aforesaid second hook means, whereby upon the melting of the fusible link means, the flat leaf spring is adapted to automatically actuate the linkage means to bias the closure towards its closed "position upon the closure being opened, and the closure vmay be manually opened and closed without disturbing the aforesaid thermally responsive release means.

5. In a device of the class described as set forth in claim 3, said linkage means comprising a link member pivotally mounted on the bracket member for movement in a vertical plane with respect to the plate-like member underlying the bench can, the pivotal axis of the linkage means being substantially parallel to the axis of the hinged closure, said spring-biased pusher means including a compression spring, said compression spring at one end operatively mounted on the aforesaid second hook means and engaging the bench can at the point at which the aforesaid second hook means extends through the peripheral Wall of the bench can, said link member being V- shaped and one leg thereof operatively engaging said spring-biased pusher means, said linkage mechanism comprising a vertically extending link member operatively mounted on the inverted L-shaped stop means, a horizontally extending portion of the vertically extending link member being parallel to the axis of the V-shaped link member and operatively engaging the other leg of the V-shaped link membensaid ventically extending link member operatively extending above the inverted L-shaped stop means and adapted to engage the closure in the open position thereof, whereby, upon the melting of the fusible link means, the spring-biased pusher means is adapted to yactuate the linkage means to automatically bias Vthe closure towards its closed position upon the closure being opened, and the closure may be manually opened and closed without disturbing the aforesaid thermally responsive release means.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,573,666 Wilson Feb. 16, 1926 1,606,935 Haas Nov. 16, 1926 1,713,691 Curtiss May 2l, 1929 1,729,493 Schlesinger Sept. 24, 1929 2,315,089 Dohrmann Mar. 30, 1943 2,325,703' Nute et al. Aug. 3 1943 2,419,163 Pope Apr. 15, 1947 2,432,628 OConnor Dec. 16, 1947 2,439,132 Haitala et al. Apr. 6, 1948 2,474,934 Domagall July 5, 1949 2,581,892 White Jan. 8, 1952 FOREIGN PATENTS Germany Nov. 2l, 1930 

